Cyaneae is a Greek name meaning “dark blue”. It is not known why the city was given this name. It is certain however, that this was one of Lycia’s important cities, given it strategic location and its large settlement area. Although it is listed by almost all the ancient geographers, they give no information at all about it. What little knowledge we have comes from a few inscriptions. One of these concerns a wealthy citizen ofs Cyaneae named Jason. During the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161 A.D.) Jason is found donating money to the region’s cities and receiving the title of Lyciarches, or chairman of the Lycian League.
The city, situated atop a steep hill rising to the north of today’s village of Yavu, is enclosed on three sides by fortification walls. Only on the south, where natural barriers make access difficult, did the residents not feel the need for fortifications. These walls, which for the most part date to later periods, are of poor construction, employing reused materials gathered from here and there. Three standing gates on the north and west walls gave entrance to the city. Hidden among trees and brush on a hill that can be called the acropolis, are structural remains.
A Roman bath, consisting of compartments whose function is not yet known, can be seen in the southwest section of the hill. A little further on ıs a splendid fourth century B.C. sarcophagus, still partially buried, with a relief-carved lid a body inscribed in Lycian. Cyaneae’s best preserved structure is its second century A.D. theatre on the west of the acropolis.
Set in a natural slope, the cave, which rises on small polygonal blocks, numbers eleven tiers of seats, and probably held wooden supports for awnings unfurled to protect the spectators from the sun. The stage is in such a poor state of preservation that it yields no clue as to its construction. On the path between the theatre and the acropolis is the necropolis area containing hundreds of sarcophagi. Here one feels one has returned to an ancient era. Almost all of the sarcophagi which exist here, and a variety of forms not seen elsewhere in Lycia, are Roman in character. Rock cut tombs of early date are located on difficult to reach cliffs on the southern face of the hill.
A tomb resembling a simple lonic temple is especially interesting. According to the Greek inscription on its door, the actual sarcophagus belonged to one Perpenesis and his wife, while the remainder of the tomb was divided among their relatives. The inscription also states that the tomb was not to be opened without the consent of the mindis, apparently an official organization that protected the tombs from vandalism and robbery. The tomb has been dated to the third century B.C.